SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS

Ray Romulus of the production team The Stereotypes (24k Magic, Thats What I Like, Somebody to Love) and I reminisce over when we met, his time as an assistant to Jermaine Dupri and quickly landing a role as A&R at Def Jam. We discuss his journey in the music industry, sharing his experiences working with artists like Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Usher, and Bruno Mars. Ray also dives into his role in helping create "Sunday Service" with Kanye West, watching the evolution of his peers, and the challenges of navigating the industry. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media, the future of the music industry, and the importance of passion and perseverance in achieving success.

- Ray Romulus

Lekan (Familiar, Need Somebody, Pray For Me) first generation Nigerian-American R&B singer/songwriter/musician discuss his inviting music rooted in Classic R&B, while also dipping into other eras and genres—weaving soul, pop, and trap together to create his unique, timeless sound shares his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, and his early exposure to music through the church. We dive into his aspiration for his music to transcend time, and his perspective on the balance between digital accessibility vs human interaction. He reflects on the support from his family, the importance of vulnerability in creative spaces, and the significance of a healthy mindset. Lekan also shares his interests outside of music, the impact of influential individuals in his life, and his recent single "Pray For Me"

Sandi McCree (The Wire, The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story) and I reconnect since shooting The Wire almost 18 years ago. We discuss her experiences as a substitute teacher, which gave her a character model for her role as De'Londa as well as highlighting the realities some of her students would face. We dive into her background in the arts as well as her playing my mom in an episode of Cold Case. The conversation also touches on our experiences with streaming platforms, the audition process for her role on The Wire and the importance of support within the industry.

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Gemaine, a true triple threat in the music world - Singer, Songwriter, and Producer. We dive deep, from his game-changing Vine video to navigating the evolution of the music industry in the digital age. Looking back, we talk about how social media slipped through the revenue cracks early on and the hurdles we're still leaping as artists today. But it's not all about music - we jump into societal perspectives, importance of staying informed and the relentless hustle needed in our craft. We also riff on what's next for technology like AI and VR in fields such as sports and entertainment.

Terrance Hardy (Craig of the Creek, Perry Mason, All American: Homecoming) and I talk about his experiences in the entertainment industry, starting from his early acting gigs on Eve, Curious George, and Entourage, and and making the leap to where he is today . We share personal anecdotes about each others journey, including our parents' support, the influence of other artists, and the challenges of fame. We also touch on his love for music, being on Kanyes College Dropout album, and his experiences in voiceover work.

Jared Faber (Suburgatory, Teen Titans GO!, As Told by Ginger) and I discuss working together on Suburgatory and Teen Titans Go! His early musical influences, his journey to scoring multiple television shows and being nominated for an Emmy as well as winning two Latin Grammys. We breakdown the evolution of his career, and the importance of staying open to opportunities. Reflecting on his past collaborations, the challenges he's faced, and his future aspirations.

Sylvester Powell (All American: Homecoming, Five Points, We Were Meant To) and I talk about his past experiences in tumbling, modeling, and how it all lead him to acting. We discuss our journeys in the entertainment industry, sharing stories about our first jobs, his competitive experiences in tumbling, and the challenges he faced when first coming to Los Angeles. From the importance of parental support and the misconceptions surrounding the entertainment industry, we touch on all these topics and more.

Thuliso Dingwall (The Wire, Law & Order, Person of Interest) also known as Kenard from The Wire and I discuss his path from being born in Newton, Massachusetts and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland. Where his interest in acting began, his audition process for The Wire and overcoming adversities in his personal life and career. We discuss his upcoming music projects and take a much needed trip down memory lane.

"If I'm going to do it, Im going to show up on time, Im going to be the best mother*ucking corn chucker on the fu*king planet."

Thuliso Dingwall -

DJ Spinz (F*ck Up Some Commas, Blasé, Flex) shares his music journey, from djing to music production. We discuss the significance of the mixtape era and the support he received throughout Atlanta and working with Major artist such as Migos, Future, Wiz Khalifa and more. We emphasize the importance of relationships, timing, and personal experiences in art. We dive into his new project The Cashmere Collective the infamous Spinz 808 and what the future holds.

Ben Levin (Legacies, Kung Fu, As The World Turns) In this episode we discuss how our experiences living in different cities has shaped our creative process. We also touch on our favorite movies and characters, the impact of A.I technology on the entertainment industry, and the challenges we mutually face as artists. We discuss themes of representation as minorities, taking risks, and the importance of connection and communication.

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